Ontario Mining Association – Page 11

Mining education continues to advance in Ontario

October 17, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Certificate in Mining Management that is being offered by Ryerson University’s G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is another indicator that mining education in business is continuing to evolve in Ontario. It is moving forward in recognition of development within the industry and changes in society, in which mining must operate.

This new program at Ryerson University in Toronto is designed for people with a degree and/or at least five years of experience working within the sector. “The Certificate in Mining Management has been developed in close consultation with industry experts to ensure employment relevance and to meet the urgent need in the mining industry for employees who have practical as well as theoretical skills and who understand and have been exposed to real-world cases and simulations,” says Ryerson University.

“As mining has evolved, so has mining education evolved,” said Philip Walsh, a geologist, Academic Coordinator for the program and an Associate Professor in the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson. “The impetus for this program came from mining executives. It is about sustainability in mining; that is doing things right from the business perspective, the environmental perspective and the community perspective.”

New study provides glimpse of mining’s potential for all of Ontario

October 10, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

A recently released regional economic study provides a glimpse of mining’s future potential to boost Ontario’s society and economy on a province-wide basis. “Mining in Northwestern Ontario: Opportunities and Challenges” focuses on the employment, infrastructure development and tax generating potential of nine advanced mineral projects in the region, which are anticipated to begin production between 2013 and 2017.

The direct, indirect and induced employment created in Ontario from these projects is expected to total 23,588, with 8,107 during the construction phases of these operations and 23,588 during the operating life of the mines, which is averaged at 17.5 years. More than 13,000 of these new positions are expected to remain in Northwestern Ontario. Potential tax revenues for federal, provincial and municipal governments is conservatively estimated to exceed $16 billion.

“Overall, the purpose of the study is to highlight the significant role that government policy related to the mining industry can have on the economy,” said the report. “Government, Aboriginal people and industry must collaborate to take advantage of these mining opportunities. Government policy decisions have significant impact on the very survival of existing mines and on the development of new mines.”

Gold miner Goldcorp is cornerstone of the Red Lake community

September 11, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Goldcorp’s Red Lake Mines is the cornerstone of its namesake community in the northwestern corner of Ontario. Though the impact of this mining operation is felt regionally, provincially, nationally and internationally, its role is the most profound within sight of its headframes.

Red Lake, which is located in the Central Time Zone, more than 1,900 kilometres north and west of Toronto, has a current population of about 5,200. It is comprised of the communities of Red Lake, Balmertown, Cochenour, McKenzie Island, Madsen and Starratt-Olsen. Goldcorp is the largest employer in the community with approximately 1,000 workers and 500 contractors on board.

Goldcorp’s operations, which are all underground, in this area are supported by four headframes and hoists and two milling facilities with a capacity of 2,800 tonnes per day. Red Lake Mines is the largest gold producer among Goldcorp’s multiple operations in Canada, the United States and Latin America. In 2012, Red Lake Mines is expected to produce between 460,000 and 510,000 ounces of gold. In 2012, Goldcorp’s total production from all of its operations is expected to be between 2.35 and 2.45 million ounces of gold.

Mining builds communities across Ontario — Red Lake

August 29, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Red Lake was the world’s first fly-in, fly-out mining camp. In 1925, what is billed as the last great gold rush in North America began in Red Lake. Travel by dog team and canoe soon gave way to bush plane prospecting and in the mid-1930s Red Lake was one of the busiest airports in the world. Up to the end of 2011, the historic gold production from the Red Lake area was almost 27 million ounces.

“Red Lake in 1925 was founded as a fly-in, fly-out camp and if it wasn’t for dog sleds and airplanes at that time, we might not be here,” said Phil Vinet, Mayor of Red Lake. “The long and short of it is that we are a mining town and we can’t lose sight of that.” The city’s largest annual event, the Norseman Festival, celebrates the role of this historic Canadian-made float plane.

The largest workforce in the community is Goldcorp’s Red Lake operations, which has 1,000 employees and 500 contractors. “You can’t find a better corporate citizen than Goldcorp,” said Mr. Vinet. Along with Goldcorp’s bullion production, the company is undergoing a major expansion and two advanced exploration projects — Rubicon’s Phoenix Project and Claude Resources Madsen Project – are also fuelling mine employment and community development.

Northern Ontario is an Oasis of Mining Activity – by Dick DeStefano (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – August 2012)

September 7, 2018August 24, 2012

Dick DeStefano is the Executive Director of Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA). destefan@isys.ca This column was originally published in the August 2012 issue of Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal.

Northern Ontario is an oasis in the global mining market. Northern Ontario is “booming” (some would say a mini super cycle) and will continue to do so for at least three years with an expectation to extend to five and some say for 95 years more. Others warn of a commodities downturn for a short period until China and India ramp up again. Its all about cycles.

The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, Canada recently highlighted the importance of the mining industry to Canada’s economic growth and long-term prosperity. He acknowledged Sudbury as a centre of job creation and innovation in the Canadian mining sector.

We are talking about billions of dollars of capital and operating investments and major exploration activity in Northern Ontario. Highlighting every active mine and potential new mining enterprise is a difficult task, but we can offer some of the recent significant activity.

AuRico Gold’s official opening of the Young-Davidson Mine spruces up regional economy

August 24, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Approximately 850 people were on hand for the official opening of Ontario Mining Association member AuRico Gold’s Young-Davidson Mine recently. The new precious metals producing operation, which completed its first gold pour in April, is located near Matachewan in northeastern Ontario about 60 kilometres west of Kirkland Lake.

Rain didn’t spoil the enthusiasm of visitors from taking mill tours and visits to the open pit and a display site for underground mining equipment. Guests included employees and their families, contractors and suppliers, seasonal cottagers, local First Nations residents, politicians from various levels of government and special guests associated with the history and development of the Young-Davidson property.

Various departments at the mine, including geology, environment, surveying and mine rescue, had booths set up to showcase what they do on the job. A gold bar was on site, which proved to be particularly popular for photograph opportunities. The local newspaper “Northern News” reported that “Young-Davidson employees, who were leading tours and at various displays, volunteered their time to be there. That shows the pride the employees have in the mine.”

OMA Noront member helps strengthen foundation for high school video competition

November 3, 2015August 23, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Noront Resources is busy this summer broadening the foundation for future So You Think You Know Mining video entries. The company is spearheading The Mining Movie Making Summer Camp in several Aboriginal communities in partnership with DAREarts, Engage Learn and the OMA.

The hands-on community based program provides three days of sharing stories about rocks, minerals, the environment and traditional territories. Then students work to collaborate and create their own Aboriginal community video, which hopefully becomes a future entry to the OMA’s SYTYKM high school video competition.

The first camp, which was held earlier this month, involved more than 40 students from the Simon Jacob Memorial Education Centre in the Webequie First Nation. The second camp was held in the Marten Falls First Nation and later in August a camp is scheduled to be held in the Long Lake #58 First Nation. In the Fall, the team aims to take the program to other communities in the Ring of Fire area.

Biodiversity initiative: Copper mine helps restore sturgeon population in Timmins river

August 22, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Xstrata Copper Canada, Kidd Operations (Xstrata) through its financial and in-kind support of the Mattagami Sturgeon Restoration Project is giving new life to a fish species designated as of “special concern” by the province. Indications are that Xstrata, in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Power Generation, Timmins Fur Council and Club Navigateur, is experiencing success in re-establishing the lake sturgeon population in a section of the Mattagami River watershed.

Lake sturgeons are descendants of a prehistoric fish going back to the Mesozoic Era (dinosaur age). The fish appear to be much the same today as 100-million year old fossils, which have been found. The Mattagami River flows north through Timmins into the James Bay drainage basin, which is part of the lake sturgeon habitat.

This fish, due to habitat loss and over fishing, had disappeared from a section of the Mattagami River between two hydro dams. To help re-establish the species, 50 adult sturgeons were transferred back into this habitat in 2002. Thirteen out of this original group of fish were marked with radio transmitters to monitor movement and potential spawning areas.

OMA member profile: Rubicon’s Phoenix Gold Project [Red Lake] — new mines from old sites (5)

August 13, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

For Ontario Mining Association member Rubicon Minerals Corporation, like the reference of its name to Roman history, there is no turning back as it advances its Phoenix Gold Project in Red Lake towards adding to the 26 million ounces produced in this historic gold area. Rubicon acquired control of the property in 2002 and it has a bullion production target of the first quarter of 2014.

“This is an interesting and exciting project, which has a history,” said John McDonald, Mine Manager. “It is not often that you can jump relatively quickly from advanced exploration, to mine development and potential production in a short time period.”

Rubicon inherited some infrastructure from what was known as the old McFinley Mine site, which never really was a gold producer. Claims were first staked on this property in 1922 and initial underground exploration took place in 1956. From 1982 to 1989, further exploration was carried out, a shaft was built, three underground levels were developed in the mine, a 150-ton-per-day mill and tailings compound were built and bulk sampling was done on a satellite target, which lies approximately 500 metres away from the eventual discovery.

OMA member profile: Claude Resources Madsen — new mines from old sites (4)

August 10, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Claude Resources is making progress toward having its Madsen advanced exploration project contribute once again to the total of more than 26 million ounces of gold, which have been produced in the Red Lake district. The Madsen Mine, which is located about 10 kilometres west of Red Lake, operated from 1938 to 1976 and produced more than 2.4 million ounces of gold during that period.

Since taking over the Madsen property in 2008, Claude Resources has been refurbishing the hoist, shaft and headframe, preparing the mine and mill for future production and carrying out further exploration drilling to expand resources. Mitch Kocis, Madsen Project Manager, presides over decades old collections of geological maps of the site.

“This site goes back to the late 1930s and the changes in these maps tell a story,” he said. “You can see the changes in the geologist’s thinking from decade to decade as part of the evolution of this property.” The site has a 4,100-foot-plus shaft, a 500 ton per day mill that could be expanded to 750 tons per day and a tailings management facility in place.

Mining gains strong voice on safety at new Prevention Council

August 10, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Roy Slack, President of Ontario Mining Association member Cementation Canada, has been appointed to Ontario’s newly formed incident Prevention Council. This 11-member panel has been created to support Chief Prevention Officer George Gritziotis and advise the Minister of Labour Linda Jeffrey.

The Prevention Council is charged with the tasks of advising on the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses, developing a provincial occupational health and safety strategy and proposing changes to funding and delivery of services to achieve accident prevention goals. The Prevention Council includes four employer representatives, four labour representatives, one non-union labour representative, an occupational health and safety expert and a representative from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

“I think it is important that the North be represented and that mining has a seat at the table and I am pleased to be able to represent our industry,” said Mr. Slack. “The mining industry in Ontario has a lot to offer with regard to safety but we are still on our journey to zero harm, so we also have work to do.”

Ontario Mining Association Program shows educators the realities of modern mining

July 18, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

The Ontario Mining Association will be involved in the week-long program for the third annual Teachers’ Mining Tour, which is being held at the Canadian Ecology Centre, near Mattawa, Ontario. Thirty five teachers from across the province will participate in the educational workshop being held August 6 to 10, 2012.

OMA President Chris Hodgson is scheduled as the kick-off speaker for the opening night. He will present information on the importance of mining in Ontario, industry support for the teachers’ tour and provide a glimpse of the potential and opportunity offered by the Ring of Fire area in the province. The goal of the workshop is to help educators learn more about the realities of modern, high-tech, solution-providing, environmentally responsible mining in Ontario.

“Seeing is believing. This professional development opportunity presents informed choices for educators,” said George Flumerfelt, President of North Bay based mine contractor and OMA member Redpath. “The Teachers’ Mining Tour brings modern mining into the classroom curricula.”

Mine contractor gains recognition for apprenticeship training programs

June 29, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Cementation Canada has gained recognition for promoting skilled trades, showing leadership in teaching apprentices and supporting apprenticeship training programs. The North Bay based mine contractor was one of four companies recognized for its human resource practices at the annual Ontario Minister’s Awards for Apprenticeship Training.

Cementation Canada was recognized as a top provider of apprenticeships in Northern Ontario. “The employees involved in the program are committed to advancing their careers as they are all grateful for an opportunity,” said Eric Hodgins, Personnel Manager for Cementation Canada. “This program benefits both the individual and the company and we appreciate this recognition from the Ontario government.”

The company strives to take positive steps to bring young trades people into the mining sector through a well-developed apprenticeship program. Cementation Canada has 17 employees involved in the company’s apprenticeship program in the mechanical and electrical fields in Ontario and an additional seven apprentices working on projects in other parts of Canada.

Vale delivers a breath of fresh air on the environmental front

June 27, 2012

This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.

Ontario Mining Association member Vale has officially launched its new $2 billion emissions control project in Sudbury. The nickel producer had company officials, employees, civic leaders, local residents, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci, Environment Minister Jim Bradley and Sudbury Mayor Marianne Matichuk on hand amongst others for the sod turning ceremony held last week.

The Clean AER (Atmospheric Emissions Reduction) Project promises to cut sulphur dioxide emissions from Vale’s smelter by 70% and trim dust and metals emissions by 35% to 40%. This is one of the largest environmental projects ever undertaken in this province. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 and will cut Vale’s emissions well below government regulated levels.

“This is a historic day for Vale and demonstrates the importance that Greater Sudbury plays in our global operations,” said John Pollesel, Chief Operating Officer for Vale Canada and Director of Vale’s North Atlantic Base Metals Operations. “Starting today, we are building a lasting legacy for our employees, the community and future generations who will live and work in Greater Sudbury and that is truly a reason to celebrate.”